I just released my second horror fiction novel, POA, and am diving right into the third fiction horror novel I want to write, as yet untitled. But struggling with finding the middle to this story, as I have the beginning and definitely the ending parts all figured out. The middle is where nothing seems to connect quite properly. First time I've actually had this problem with writing a story too. Any advice is appreciated.
Also, for all of you on this board struggling with your own writing, feel free to bounce ideas off me. I'm happy to listen without judgment.
For all of you who are wondering what is the point of writing and feel like it's hard to get people to notice your work, that's really something I deal with on an everyday level. I used to be in a somewhat popular band, I guess, and got to play to thousands of people regularly. But... that was 20 years ago. Now, I am lucky if five people can actually take an interest in my books unless I post them for free on Amazon, in which case they can hit the top of the charts, but still... no engagement or feedback from that happening. It makes you wonder... did I write a compelling enough story? Was what I wrote something people can connect with?
I think for me, I'm learning that knowing your audience and appealing to them is, basic as this information point is, the really most important part of writing any story. If you want to get rich and have people care about your work, go see what's trending on amazon and write a copy of that. But if you want to write a story that means something to you, ask yourself if you are really the only audience for that story? Because more often than not, that's usually the case, isn't it?
The other idea is to find like-minded writers who can support you. I feel though in this sense it's kind of like playing music to a room full of the other performers playing on the lineup with you, and maybe a few stragglers who came to the live house just for the drinks. But maybe that's okay? Maybe supporting your writing peers and getting support back from them is good enough? I think I feel the most honored when another writer looks at my work and compliments it... because they know the struggle, the late nights writing, the waiting painfully for the light bulb to turn on and the ideas to start making sense, which sometimes they never do. They know the pain of not having anybody except friends and family buy your books. But still... is it enough?
I often struggle with this question too. So, for now, the only thing I take comfort in is, you guessed it... writing. And I think I'll go do that now.
Good luck to all of you!
